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AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify and determine the diversity, occurrence and distribution of fungi in water used at a haemodialysis centre. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples in the hydraulic circuit for the distribution of the water, dialysate samples and samples of sterilization solution from dialysers were collected over a 3-month period, and 500 ml of each sample was filtered through membranes. All together 116 isolates of fungi were recovered from 89% of all water samples collected inside the haemodialysis unit, with prevalence of moulds in tap water samples and of yeasts in dialysate samples. Fusarium spp. was the most abundant genus found, whereas Candida parapsilosis was the predominant yeast species. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that various fungi were present in the water system. These data suggest the inclusion of the detection and quantification of fungi in the water of haemodialysis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The recovery of fungi from aqueous haemodialysis environments implies a potential risk for haemodialysis patients and indicates the need for continuous maintenance and monitoring. Further studies on fungi in haemodialysis water systems are required to investigate the organism ability to persist, their role in biofilm formation and their clinical significance.

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A virus was isolated from joyweed (Alternanthera tenella Colla-Amaranthaceae), a common weed in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Examination by electron microscopy showed long flexuous particles with an average length of 756 nm in crude sap. Serological results showed positive reaction with antisera to PVY-O. A fragment of 1772 nucleotides was sequenced. The CP sequence shares 76% of identity with the CP of Potato virus Y strain NTN. These results confirm that the virus is a new potyvirus infecting A. tenella, and the name Alternanthera mild mosaic virus (AltMMV) is proposed.

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Alguns estados incomuns de consciência que a psiquiatria diagnostica e trata como distúrbios mentais são, na verdade, crises de transformação pessoal ou Crises Holossomáticas. Este fenômeno é quase totalmente desconhecido da medicina convencional e portanto o diagnóstico desta condição não é realizado. O presente artigo apresenta quatro objetivos principais: a) Modificar a terminologia, conceituação e classificação deste fenômeno; b) incluir esta situação no diagnóstico diferencial das psicoses e outras condições médicas; c) demonstrar a necessidade de tratamento individualizado e não convencional; d) discutir sobre a estruturação de uma clínica para tratamento integrado. A nível de diagnóstico diferencial deve-se, inicialmente, excluir qualquer condição médica, através de exames clínicos, neuro-psiquiátrico e psicológico. Os exames laboratoriais e complementares serão solicitados na dependência dos achados de anamnese e exame físico (eletroencefalograma, tomografia cerebral, ressonância magnética). Várias condições podem simular quadro psicótico ou Crise Holossomática: encefalite, processos degenerativos cerebrais, neoplasias de sistema nervoso central, certos tipos de crises convulsivas, síndrome do pânico e esclerose múltipla. Apesar das características distintas entre psicose e Crise Holossomática, o diagnóstico diferencial entre estes processos é complexo. É necessário o conhecimento de psicopatologia, e o entendimento dos estudos alterados de consciência com potencial evolutivo. Esta crise, em geral é desencadeada por situações que levam o indivíduo a um questionamento quanto ao seu modo de vida: priorizações, valores, e vínculos interpessoais. Entre os fatores que concorrem para o início do quadro, podemos citar: psicoterapia, terapias corporais, meditação, doenças graves e cirurgias mutiladoras. Quando diagnosticada e tratada adequadamente, ao invés de ser suprimida pelas rotinas psiquiátricas padronizadas, tem como resultado a evolução consciencial.(AU)

Some uncommom states of consciousness that are diagnosed and treated as mental disturbance by Psychiatry are, indeed, personal transformation crises or Holosomatic Crises. This phenomenon is almost quite unknown by conventional Medicine, thus diagnosis in such state is not done. This article presents four main purposes: a) To modify the terminology, conception and classification of this phenomenon; b) include this situation in the psychosis and other medical conditions differential diagnosis; c) to demonstrate the necessity for individual and no-conventional treatment; d) discuss the structure for integral manner treatment. Concerning differential diagnosis we should begin by excluding any medical condition, through clinical, neuro-psychiatric and psychological examinations. Laboratory and additional examinations will be required depending on whatcan be found out from anamnese and physical examination (Electroencephalography, Computed Tomography Head Scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Several conditions my simulate psychotic state or Holosomatics Crisis: encephalitis, brain degenerative processes, brain neoplasm, some kind of convulsive crisis, panic syndrom and multiple sclerosis. Despite distinctive characteristics between psychosis and holosomatics crisis, the differential diagnosis between these two processes is complex. It is necessary knowledge of psychopathology, and the understanding of the altered states consciousness with evolutionary potential. Gererally, this crisis is unleashed by situations that takes the person into a questioning mood about his or her way of life: priorities, inner values and interconsciential bonds. Among the factors in creating conditions to thatstate are: psychotherapy, corporal therapies, meditation, serious diseases and mutilating surgery. When diagnosed and treated adequately, instead of being suppressed by standard Psychiatric routines it has evolution of consciousness as a result.(AU)

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